Antarctic Peninsula Aboard the Ortelius

Overview

Travel to the southernmost part of the world to explore the offshore islands and observe the wildlife of the Antarctic Peninsula on this captivating voyage. Depending upon the weather, you may be able to see a large colony of Gentoo Penguins, and breeding pairs of Skuas on Cuverville Island, and Chinstrap Penguins and Weddell and Crabeater Seals on Danco Island. Zodiac excursions offer the opportunity to see Humpback and Mink Whales, and to visit a research station on Antarctica.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Your voyage begins where the world drops off: Ushuaia, Argentina, reputed to be the southernmost city on the planet, located on the far southern tip of South America. Starting in the afternoon, you embark from this small resort town on Tierra del Fuego – nicknamed “The End of the World” – and sail the scenic, mountain-fringed Beagle Channel for the rest of the evening. Overnight aboard the ship. (D)

Note: We advise all passengers to plan to arrive in Ushuaia one night before the cruise departure.

Over the next two days on the Drake Passage, you catch a taste of life from the perspective of the polar explorers who first braved these regions: cool salt breezes, rolling seas, maybe even a fin whale blasting up sea spray. After passing the Antarctic Convergence – Antarctica’s natural boundary, formed when north-flowing cold waters collide with warmer subantarctic seas – you are in the circum-Antarctic upwelling zone. Not only does the marine life change, the avian life changes too: A variety of albatrosses and petrels show up, along with Cape pigeons and southern fulmars. Then, near the South Shetlands Islands, the first icebergs flash into sight. Overnight aboard the ship. (B,L,D)

Gray stone peaks sketched with snow, towers of broken blue-white ice, and dramatically different wildlife below and above. You first pass the snow-capped Melchior Islands and Schollaert Channel, sailing between Brabant and Anvers Islands.

Sites you may visit include:

Cuverville Island – Stabbing up between Rongé Island and the Antarctic Peninsula, Cuverville houses a massive colony of gentoo penguins as well as pairs of breeding brown skuas.

Danco Island – Activities here may focus on the gentoo penguins nesting on the island, in addition to the Weddell and crabeater seals that can be found nearby.

Neko Harbour – An epic landscape of mammoth glaciers and endless wind-carved snow. Opportunities for Zodiac cruising and kayaking provide you the closest possible view of the ice-crusted alpine peaks.

Paradise Bay – You may be able to take a Zodiac cruise in these sprawling, ice-flecked waters, where you have a good chance of seeing humpback and minke whales.

Port Lockroy – After sailing through the Neumayer Channel, you get a chance to visit the former British research station – now a museum and post office – of Port Lockroy on Goudier Island. You may also be able to partake in activities around Jougla Point, meeting gentoo penguins and blue-eyed shags. There are great opportunities for kayaking and camping here.

Pléneau & Petermann Islands – If the ice allows it, you may sail through the Lemaire Channel in search of Adélie penguins and blue-eyed shags. There’s also a good chance you’ll encounter humpback and minke whales here, as well as leopard seals.

Wilhelmina Bay & Guvernøren – This is a great place to spot humpback whales. You also may embark on a Zodiac cruise ending at the ghostly wreck of the Guvernøren, a whaling vessel that caught fire here in 1915. Around the Melchior Islands, amid a frozen landscape peopled with icebergs, you may encounter even more whales, leopard seals, and crabeater seals.

Conditions on the Drake Passage determine the exact time of departure. Overnight aboard the ship. (B,L,D)

Your return voyage is far from lonely. While crossing the Drake, you’re again greeted by the vast array of seabirds remembered from the passage south. But they seem a little more familiar to you now, and you to them. Overnight aboard the ship. (B,L,D)

Every adventure, no matter how grand, must eventually come to an end. It’s now time to disembark in Ushuaia, but with memories that will accompany you wherever your next adventure lies. You will be transferred to the airport in Ushuaia for your return flight to your final destination. (B)

B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

Itinerary Map

Prices & Dates

Price per Person

Category

Single

Double

Triple

Quad Cabin

$7,950

$7,950

$7,950

Triple Porthole

$8,950

$8,950

$8,950

Twin Porthole

$16,405

$9,650

n/a

Twin Window

$17,170

$10,100

n/a

Twin Deluxe

$18,445

$10,850

n/a

Superior

$19,890

$11,700

$10,450

** The prices shown above are in U.S. Dollars. See the cost of this tour in your currency here.

Notes:

The above prices are valid until February 6, 2019.

The single supplement is 1.7 times the Twin price.

Singles willing to share a cabin pay the Twin/Triple/Quad price.

Optional camping cost is $180 per person.

Optional kayaking cost is $465 per person.

Optional diving cost is $530 per person.

Departure Date

February 6, 2019.

What's Included

Price Includes

South American Vacations’ expert pre-departure planning services and documentation.

Accommodations on board the M/V Ortelius.

All meals scheduled on board, including snacks, coffee, and tea.

All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program.

Use of rubber boots.

Evening briefings and lectures.

Price Does Not Include

International airfare.

Domestic airfare.

Hotel nights before/after the cruise.

Transfers to/from the vessel before/after the cruise.

Meals not indicated on the itinerary.

Gratuities to ship crew and guides (Suggested $8-10/per/day for the naturalist guides and crew).

Bar, gifts, and personal items.

Travel insurance.

We will be happy to quote the cost of airfare and travel insurance and to make these arrangements for you.

Accommodations

Antarctica

Additional Details

Group Private: All services included in this tour are operated on a group basis.

Elevations: N/a.

Passport/Visa: U.S., Australian, Canadian, and EU citizens require a valid passport (for the duration of your visit) and return ticket for stays of up to 90 days. Australian and Canadian citizens are required to pay a reciprocity fee of $100 and $75 respectively (subject to change without notice due to currency fluctuations or other reasons) online, and must show proof of payment prior to arrival. The reciprocity fee for U.S. citizens has been suspended until further notice. For citizens of Australia, this fee covers unlimited entries to Argentina for 10 years, while citizens of Canada are charged the fee every time they enter the country (or $150 for multiple visits within five years). The fee can be paid online at ProvinciaNet.com.ar. You will need to register in order to make the payment. Citizens of other countries are advised to contact the embassy of Argentina in their country before traveling.

Travel Insurance: In order to protect your travel investment from unforeseen circumstances that may arise before or during your trip, we strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance. We offer Allianz Global Assistance’s Classic Comprehensive and other plans. The Benefits and Coverage Limits are summarized on our Travel Insurance page. Call your travel counselor if you have any questions or to purchase a plan.

To Book This Trip: Call or email us to confirm the availability of this ship for your desired dates of travel. For reservations made more than 90 days prior to departure, the required deposit is between $2,100 and $2,900 per person, and may be higher for single passengers. The balance is due 90 days prior to departure.